Updated April 16 at 9:30 a.m.
As severe drought conditions continue to persist across Colorado, many cities and municipalities have declared water restrictions to preserve limited water supplies. Most are at least recommending voluntary restrictions, which generally include limiting outdoor watering, while others have enacted mandatory water restrictions, including fines, such as Denver Water.
This comes after the worst snowpack on record ever for the state.
Denver Metro and Northern Colorado
Aurora: mandatory restrictions
Aurora has instituted Stage 1 drought restrictions, meaning residents can only water their lawns two days a week on assigned days, with no watering allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Filling swimming pools or operating outdoor fountains is not allowed. Wasting water or using more than allowed may result in fines. The city’s target is to reduce its water use by 20%.
Arvada: mandatory restrictions
The City has declared a drought and Stage 1 water restrictions effective in April. Outdoor watering is limited to two days a week on a specific schedule, and watering of grass is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Brighton: mandatory restrictions
Brighton has implemented mandatory Stage 1 drought restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to twice a week. Irrigation is banned between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Broomfield: voluntary restrictions
The city of Broomfield is under a drought watch. It recommends watering only two days per week, and lawn irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Boulder: voluntary restrictions
The city of Boulder is on drought watch; it’s requesting residents not run sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting in May, and to limit outdoor watering.
Denver Water: mandatory restrictions
Under Stage 1 drought restrictions, outdoor watering is limited to assigned days and no more than two days per week. Lawn watering is only allowed before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The city has asked customers to leave irrigation systems off until mid to late May.
The city has also instituted drought water pricing increases starting in May. Under the temporary drought pricing, residential customers will see a drought charge of $1.10 per 1,000 gallons. The temporary drought charges will be added on top of the customer’s existing 2026 water rates. This also applies to cities that purchase water from Denver, including Lakewood, Littleton, Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Greenwood Village, Sheridan, Glendale, and Edgewater.
Erie: voluntary restrictions
The Town of Erie is asking residents to reduce watering to two days a week to help maintain water supply during a severe drought. During periods of especially hot and dry weather, Erie may designate a third watering day for the week. The Town could still enter more serious drought phases later this spring, depending on water supply.
Edgewater: mandatory reductions
Under its Stage 1 Drought response, the city has instituted mandatory watering restrictions. Outdoor watering is limited to two days per week. No outdoor watering is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day.
Evergreen: voluntary reductions
Under a Level 1 drought response, customers are being asked — but not required — to reduce their overall water use.
Fort Collins-Loveland Water District: waiting on water supply outlook
The district is holding off on any restrictions until key water allocations are announced in April, which will help determine how much supply is available this year.
Golden: mandatory restrictions
The City of Golden has declared Stage 1 drought restrictions effective May 1, 2026, due to record-low snowpack and below-average stream flows. Watering lawns is limited to two days per week between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Longmont: voluntary restrictions
The city of Longmont recommends residents voluntarily curtail their water use to conserve water, but has not enacted a drought response.
Northglenn: mandatory restrictions
The city of Northglenn has declared Stage 2 Drought, which triggers mandatory water restrictions for all residential and commercial customers. Watering is limited to two days a week, and outdoor watering must occur before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Violations are subject to fines.
Thornton: mandatory restrictions
As of mid-March, the city enacted Stage 1 drought restrictions, including limits on outdoor watering such as a twice-weekly schedule. While enforcement is currently limited, officials are urging residents to hold off on turning on sprinkler systems until May.
Woodland Park: mandatory restrictions
Woodland Park has declared Level 2 water restrictions — lawns may only be watered two days a week. From May through September, watering is not allowed between noon and 6 pm. According to the city, "Each year, the City of Woodland Park Utilities Department implements seasonal water restrictions…regardless of drought conditions."
Western Slope and High Country
Eagle River Water District: mandatory restrictions
In the Vail Valley, where water supply depends on mountain snowpack, Eagle River Water District has enacted Stage 3 drought restrictions, meaning residents can only water two days a week and watering is only allowed between midnight and 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. and midnight on those days. They recommend residents monitor their water use and let their yards go dormant rather than water.
Grand Junction: voluntary restrictions
The city is urging voluntary reductions and is offering rebates for water-wise programs that include turf conversion projects and smart watering devices.
Southern Colorado
Colorado Springs: mandatory restrictions
Starting May 1, the city requires residents water plants no more than three days per week and only during hours before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. This is to reduce evaporation during the heat of the day.
Manitou Springs: mandatory restrictions
Manitou Springs has enacted Level 1 Water Restrictions, which limits outdoor watering to three days a week, with a max of two hours of watering per day from 5 a.m to 8 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The city will issue $100 fines for violations.
Four Corners
Durango: mandatory restrictions
The City of Durango has enacted Stage 1 mandatory water restrictions, effective April 10, following the city manager’s declaration of a Stage 1 Water Shortage/Drought.
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District: voluntary restrictions
The water and sanitation district is asking residents to curtail their water use in order to prevent the potential for future drought charges to be enacted.
La Plata Archuleta Water District: no restrictions yet
Water providers in southwest Colorado say they are not planning on any water restrictions this year. Officials with the district said they had adequate water storage from last fall’s rains and do not anticipate water shortages heading into the summer.
